February Favourites

Benefit Roller Lash
Like probably everyone else in the UK, last month I picked up Elle magazine for the exclusive sample tube of Benefit's latest mascara offering. While I do think that a lot of Benefit's products are quite gimmicky & don't really live up to their reputation online, I am completely loving this mascara! Roller Lash is extremely uplifting & holds a curl like nothing else. It manages to coat every single tiny lash & dramatically lengthens my lashes. The formula is super black & stays put all day long. It kinda reminds of the Kevyn Aucoin Essential Mascara but without the fibres. My one issue with Roller Lash is that it can be hard to apply more than one coat so my lashes don't look quite as voluminous as I would like. I tried using Roller Lash as a second mascara last week & I much prefer it that way. I can get the thickness I want from another product & then this mascara on top really amps up the length & curl of my lashes.

Lancome Artliner
Artliner is basically my holy grail liquid eyeliner. I religiously used this stuff for years & after my recent clear out I realised I still had an unopened tube! I swiftly cracked it open & it was a complete revelation. Perfect liner every time. It is quite expensive for an eyeliner but in my opinion it's totally worth the money. I love the pointed nib applicator on this & it applies really smoothly. The pigmentation of the liner is fantastic & it doesn't transfer onto my upper eyelids at all. If you've always struggled with liquid liner then this is the product I would recommend because it is utterly foolproof. It also comes in some really interesting but wholly wearable colours. Black is obvs my fave but I also have it in brown which I think looks lovely with a neutral smokey eye.

Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion With AHA/BHA
From a young age we are taught that in order to exfoliate your face & body you need some kind of grainy scrub. I'm glad to see that a lot of people have come round to ways of chemical exfoliation as it's just so much better for your face. However most people still use a salt/sugar scrub on their body, myself included. Well I recently discovered that there are loads of body lotions out there featuring BHA/AHAs and much like acids for your face, these lotions are a whole lot more effective at removing dead skin. I really like this Palmer's Skin Smoothing Lotion. I hate the smell of their regular cocoa butter products but this one is a lot more bearable. It blends together cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin E, salicylic acid & lactic acid for super smooth skin. It's not very moisturising but the main point of this product is exfoliation rather than hydration. It works wonders on keratosis pilaris & ingrown hairs. It can also help with things like bacne & scarring. Body lotions aren't the most exciting thing in the world but this one is pretty fab.

Swell Advanced Root Nutrient Complex*
I've been using this every time I blow dry my hair & it is such an amazing product. The entire Swell range is designed to provide volume & thickness to fine, flat hair. The Root Nutrient Complex features a unique blend of eighteen active botanical extracts which help to nourish & protect hair at the root. You simply spray it onto your scalp & massage it in. It has made my hair feel so much thicker & stronger whilst giving it some mega volume. My hair was in desperate need of something like this. I'm dreading this bottle running out though because the full size version is so expensive!

Organic Surge Extra Care Hydrating Eye Cream*
Organic Surge make some amazing skincare products and I'm especially fond of their Extra Care range. These products are slightly higher in price than the rest of their skincare but they feature some really high quality ingredients so they're worth the extra expense. This eye cream contains jojoba oil which smooths & moisturises the skin without leaving any oily residue behind. It feels extremely light but incredibly hydrating at the same time. It's suitable for all skin types even sensitive skin. Some eye creams make my eyes water if I apply them a bit close but this feels very gentle. It helps to nourish & rejuvenate the eye area leaving it looking smoother & brighter.

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Organic Surge Christmas Beauty Bloggers Bundle

Organic Surge Christmas Beauty Bloggers Bundle* - £35.50

After the huge success of last year's blogger bundle, Organic Surge have brought out another set of some of their most highly rated products. This bargainous quartet of goodies is a great way to treat yourself or your loved ones this Christmas. The bundle comes with full-size versions of their Spiced Lily Foaming Bath, Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser, Gardeners Hand Cream and Overnight Sensation Night Cream.


Organic Surge Spiced Lily Foaming Bath
Organic Surge's bath products never disappoint. They're very kind to sensitive skin & always smell delicious. Spiced Lily Foaming Bath has a beautiful scent combo of patchouli & clove-bud. It's a bit spicy & sexy so it'll definitely help to warm you up this Winter. It's a great seasonal scent because it reminds me of Christmas pomanders. The spicy floral fragrance delicately lingers on my body to put me in the right frame of mind for a good night's sleep. It's very cosy & calming which helps me to de-stress at the end of a long day. A little bit of this in your bath will produce plenty of rich bubbles for a really relaxing soak.


Organic Surge Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser
Despite not being overly keen on hot cloth cleansers in general I can honestly say that this product is the star of the show. This cleanser comes from their Extra Care range which has been specially formulated for those with mature skin. The products are slightly more luxe than those from their regular skincare line & the prices do reflect this. I'm quite happy to use anti-ageing products as they tend to hydrate & plump up the skin which is exactly what I need at this time of year. The texture is wonderfully rich & creamy. Massaging this into the skin feels so lovely & calming. I'm really impressed with the formula of this cleanser as it manages to smooth away any dry patches & instantly perks up my skin. It's very gentle yet effectively clears away any makeup & impurities. My skin is left feeling much softer and looking much brighter. I also love the scent of this product which is a gorgeous blend of orange, geranium & rose oils. The Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser completely blows Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish out of the water, it really is that good.


Organic Surge Gardeners Hand Cream
Another divinely scented product is this Gardeners Hand Cream. It features a mixture of lime, basil & rosemary which is really fresh & zingy. It basically makes me want to sniff my hands a lot! The best thing about this hand cream is that it gets to work fast, offering plenty of hydration in a quick drying formula. The reason why it would be ideal for gardeners is because you can apply it before you start work, protecting your skin from dehydration & damage whilst reducing ingrained dirt. You can then reapply it after work to soothe irritation and revive tired hands. I'm no gardener but even I can appreciate what a lovely hand cream this is. It makes my hands feel so soft & perfectly moisturised. Again it's great choice for Winter because you don't have to wait around for ages before you can put on your gloves and head out the door.


Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream
Prior to receiving this gift bundle the Overnight Sensation Night Cream was the only one of these products that I had actually tried before. You can read my original review here but Organic Surge must've recently reformulated this moisturiser as it now contains different ingredients. The key ingredient used to be rose geranium oil whereas now it is enriched with lavender oil. They've also taken out the green tea & chamomile but is the change for the better? I'm still undecided. The lavender scent is very relaxing and helps to send me to sleep. I do prefer the texture of the new formulation as it's a little bit oilier & melts into the skin nicely. If you already have oily skin though, this could be too heavy for you. It might be a bit different now but I still think it's a decent night cream that won't break the bank.

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Organic Surge Fresh Ocean Shower Gel

Organic Surge Fresh Ocean Shower Gel* - £4.75

My number one criteria for bath products is that they have to smell exceptionally good. One brand that I always come back to is Organic Surge. As a lover of fresh citrus scents their Citrus Mint shower gel is utter perfection to me. It was the first Organic Surge product that I ever tried & it's something that I have repurchased many times since. More recently I noticed that their Fresh Ocean shower gel also features lots of lovely natural citrus oils & had to give it a go. Citrus Mint smells more like lemons & oranges whereas Fresh Ocean is very limey. The scent is quite masculine in comparison & reminds me of sherbet. It combines pure lemon, rosemary & lime essential oils which are very stimulating & invigorating. There's a little bit of peppermint oil in there too which contributes to it's cooling properties. It gently cleanses & revives the skin, making it feel tingly fresh. This shower gel always manages to perk me up in the morning. There's nothing better than breathing in all those gorgeous organic essential oils. The scent doesn’t last on my skin but it makes my bathroom smell amazing for ages. Fresh Ocean is an ideal scent for Summer. Personally I prefer their Citrus Mint shower gel as it's a bit more zesty but this one does smell wonderful too. Organic Surge's bath products always smell much more expensive than they really are.

Not only do Organic Surge's shower products smell absolutely incredible, they're kind to sensitive skin as well. This particular shower gel is 98.9% natural. All of their products are free from harsh chemicals, SLS, parabens, synthetic colours & perfumes. My eczema-prone skin reacts a lot better to products that don't include those ingredients. This shower gel feels quite moisturising as it contains sunflower seed oil & natural glycerine to nourish and protect the skin. It is also enriched with aloe vera which helps to soothe any irritation. This product lathers up really well despite a lack of SLS. Your skin will be left feeling perfectly clean without stripping it of it's natural oils. If you find that most shower gels irritate your skin then I would highly suggest switching to something a bit more natural & organic like this one. That luscious fresh scent will certainly set you up for the day ahead without drying out sensitive skin.

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Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash

Organic Surge Daily Care Face Wash - £5.95

Organic Surge are one of my favourite budget skincare brands. All of their products feature natural ingredients, are cruelty free & untouched by harsh chemicals. Yet they are still highly effective & my skin loves them. Until recently the only place I'd personally seen their products for sale was online so product availability had always been an issue for me. I was rather excited when I noticed that my local Co-Op had started carrying a small selection of their goodies. One product that stood out to me in the store was their Daily Care Face Wash. At the minute I'm trying to keep the majority of my skincare routine quite gentle so that all the AHAs, BHAs & retinoids I use can achieve the maximum impact on my skin without over sensitising it. This cleanser sounded like a lovely gentle face wash that wouldn't dry out my skin. The inclusion of organic rose geranium leaf essential oil clinched it for me & I've been using it day and night for the past few weeks.

A word of warning: if you're not a fan of rose scents then you'll probably hate it. The fragrance is completely natural but still very strong. Otherwise this lightly foaming gel cleanser is a great choice for all skin types. I normally remove my makeup using a micellar water or an oil cleanser but as this face wash claims to get rid of makeup as well as impurities I decided to give it a go. For a gel this product does a surprisingly good job of removing makeup. Combined with a muslin cloth it can get rid of everything, including heavy eye makeup, without irritation. I really like that you can double cleanse with it at night, it saves buying a separate makeup remover.

Gels get a bad rep as being drying but that only tends to be the case when they contain nasty ingredients. Although it does lather up quite a bit, this process is 100% natural as Organic Surge don't use SLS in their products. It leaves my skin feeling clean & fresh, never stripped. Some of the key ingredients include organic aloe vera, natural glycerine & of course that lovely rose geranium leaf essential oil. This trio help to soothe irritation & redness, attract moisture to the skin and perk up a dull complexion. After washing my face with this cleanser my skin immediately looks brighter & more even toned. It's astounding that such an inexpensive gel cleanser can make your skin so soft & radiant. This has to be one of the best budget-friendly cleansers that I've come across.

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The Eye Care Edit

Eye products are a funny old thing. With other types of skincare products you can normally tell within a few weeks if something is making your skin better or worse. Eye creams are more of a guessing game. How do you know whether something will stop you from getting wrinkles in the future when time travel isn't an option? I think that's why so many people don't actually bother with them. It's an easy step to miss out when doing your skincare routine but it only takes two seconds & can make all the difference when you do get older. Genetics & your overall health will dictate the natural appearance of your eye area but using a separate eye product can help to reduce puffiness, dryness, irritation, dark circles & fine lines. This product roundup is aimed towards us young'uns. We might not have huge puffy bags & crows feet just yet but it's so important to start looking after your eyes in your twenties. The eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing & prevention is always better than cure.



THE GELS: Personally I greatly prefer eye gels over eye creams. If dark circles & puffiness concern you then I would recommend using a gel. My eyes get easily irritated especially during the Summer so a calming eye gel is exactly what I need. Organic Surge Eye Gel* is the one I always reach for when my eyes feel really sore. It contains aloe vera, green tea, witch hazel & menthol which can help to naturally reduce inflammation, puffiness, sagging & dehydration. I think gels work best with a pump otherwise you can end up with far too much product on your finger. If the Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Green Tea Eye Gel* came with a pump it would be much better. This gel has a really thick texture so you only need a tiny bit. It has an amazing scent & feels so cooling, especially if you pop it in the fridge first. As it's so thick I like to layer it on as a refreshing eye mask, leave it for five minutes & then blot off the excess product with a tissue. It's a great pick me up after a day of hayfever hell. I also like the REN Active 7 Eye Gel. The texture is very lightweight, almost watery but I find it takes a while to absorb properly. When it does absorb it effectively smooths away any fine lines & really tightens the skin. It's not so great at hydrating the area though which is why gels containing hyaluronic acid, like the next two, are more worthy of an investment.

HealGel Eye* is my current product of choice. If you can afford it then you should definitely buy this one. It sinks in immediately & firms up the skin. The problem with most other eye products is that you can't tell if it's making a difference or not. HealGel Eye has had a visible impact upon my under eye area and has actually reduced the discolouration of my dark circles. The effects are cumulative rather than just being a temporary fix. Arnica is a wonderful thing. Like I mentioned previously, it also contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture to the area & plump up any fine lines. Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex is very similar to HealGel Eye but it's dark shadow correcting properties don't quite match up. Otherwise, it's pretty damn good.



THE CREAMS: Creams are the better choice if you need something really hydrating. I don't find them as effective for dark circles unless you want something that works as a temporary solution. Origins GinZing Eye Cream is brilliant at perking up tired eyes. It contains caffeine to tighten & depuff the area. I love the shimmery light reflecting particles. They help to brighten up dark circles meaning that you don't need to use as much concealer. Some of the best eye creams I've come across are from Lierac. They're a French pharmacy brand so their products are tricky to get hold of but I found mine in TK Maxx. Lierac Diopticalm is an instantly refreshing eye balm. It is incredibly soothing & gets rid of any dryness. You can use this as an eye mask too. Lierac Diopticerne is one of the few creams that works well on dark circles whilst also adding plenty of moisture. The only good thing about Clinique All About Eyes is it's moisturising properties. It does nothing for fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness or dark circles. However it does keep the eye contours well hydrated & gives the area a smooth base for makeup.



THE TREATMENTS: There's loads of home remedies out there for eye problems such as teabags, cucumbers & backs of spoons so you don't have to spend a lot for an effective treatment. One of the cheapest but most helpful things to carry around with you is a bottle of eye drops. I'm using Optrex Refreshing Eyes Drops to wash out any dirt & calm irritation. I get really bad hayfever so eye drops & baths are a must have for me come Summertime. I want to give one of their eye sprays a go as they claim to not smudge your makeup but they are a lot pricier. Something I cannot live without is Liz Earle Eyebright. It is my favourite ever Liz Earle product & it is a miracle worker on tired eyes. If I'm struggling to get out of bed in the morning I pop some on a couple of cotton pads and leave them on my eyes for a few minutes. I instantly feel more awake & ready to face the day. I've also used this to clear a mild eye infection when I couldn't get to a pharmacy. It's so cooling & refreshing - perfect for hayfever season too.

I first discovered Talika when I tried their amazing Lipocils which is brilliant at growing back eyelashes & eyebrows. They have loads of amazing eye products including these unique Eye Decompress masks. You simply pop the white tablet into the blue fluid. The tablet absorbs the liquid so that you can then unfold it into a soothing eye mask. It really helps to reduce swelling & detox the eye area. It'd be great to take on a plane for some inflight pampering. I also like the Jamela 24k Gold Under Eye Masks*. They use pure gold leaf, hyaluronic acid and plant collagen to brighten & tighten the skin. They feel a bit weird & make you look a bit crazy. You have to leave them on for half an hour so I would suggest lying down in bed with them on so they don't slip off. Despite the weirdness, they do actually work quite well. Save these for a special occasion when you need to look your best.

What's your favourite eye product?

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Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner

Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner* - £6.50

No matter what your skin type it's important to know when to use abrasive products & when to use gentler products. Otherwise you run the risk of drying out & irritating your skin when it's in need of some TLC. I used to be really into exfoliating toners but since discovering the wonderful Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash I find that I merely require something calming & hydrating afterwards. It's easy to go overboard with chemical exfoliants & as my cleanser uses lactic acid to gently exfoliate the skin it would be silly to follow it up with an exfoliating toner. Toning is an oft-forgotten step in skincare but for me it's completely essential. It bridges the gap between cleansing & moisturising so that my skin feels prepped for the products to come.

Lately I've been loving this Orange Flower Toner from Organic Surge. Their skincare products are always a good choice if you have sensitive or easily irritated skin. This toner features 98.89% natural ingredients, it is untouched by harsh chemicals & is alcohol-free. Alcohol content is something to consider when looking for a toner. Traditionally toners used alcohol because they gave the appearance of shrinking pores by drying out the skin. But who on earth wants drier skin? Even if you have an oily skin type you should go for something gentle & alcohol-free. That's why this toner works so well on all skin types.

As the name suggests orange flower water is the key ingredient here. It is renowned for it's healing properties & gives the toner a beautifully uplifting citrus scent. It also features centella asiatica extract to promote skin renewal and aloe vera to calm & moisturise the skin. It really helps to refresh & hydrate my skin after cleansing. It's such a lovely toner & effectively soothes any irritation. Generally I do prefer spray toners so I can use them as an instant pick-me-up throughout the day. I've decanted some of this into a small spray bottle from Superdrug. I keep it in the fridge overnight to boost it's cooling powers & then pop it in my handbag. I'm obsessed with it's invigorating scent & it's so cheap that I don't feel bad about spraying it as much as I desire. I've gone through countless bottles of Caudalie Beauty Elixir at £10 a pop so this makes for a brilliant purse friendly alternative.

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Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream

Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream* - £8.99

My favourite ever night cream is Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins & I'm not sure that anything will change that anytime soon. So how does this offering from Organic Surge compare? They both claim to rehydrate & restore your skin overnight, leaving it looking brighter & more radiant come morning. Despite their vastly different price points they have surprisingly similar results. In some ways Overnight Sensation is the better choice. It's suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. Like every other Organic Surge product it is untouched by harsh chemicals. The ingredients of this cream are 98.99% natural. Origins are often mistakenly thought of as a natural skincare brand due to the abundance of plant extracts & essential oils in their products. It's certainly no bad thing that their products aren't natural but if that is a concern for you then Organic Surge are a great alternative.

The key ingredient in Overnight Sensation is organic rose geranium oil. This restores the skin's natural balance & helps to boost sluggish skin circulation. It gives the cream the most beautiful rose scent which reminds me of Turkish Delight. It also features green tea & chamomile to naturally reduce any inflammation. The moisturising element comes from a blend of natural glycerine, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil & vitamin E. The cream itself is fairly thick & rich. It feels very comforting on the skin & eliminates any dryness. It immediately makes my skin feel softer & more hydrated. It does leave a bit of residue on the surface of my skin so it does take a while to sink in properly. Every last drop gets absorbed by the time I've woken up though and then my skin is left looking & feeling amazing. I get a bit nervous about switching moisturisers in case it breaks me out but my skin has been loving it. It definitely lives up to it's promise of making your skin look healthier in the morning which is why I feel it is comparable to Night-A-Mins. It's not quite as moisturising by itself because it doesn't really melt into your skin in the same way but that is easily corrected.

As with all my night creams I prefer to mix this with a facial oil to boost it's hydrating & healing properties. Things like Trilogy Rosehip Oil or Balance Me Radiance Face Oil work really nicely with it. Mixed with a face oil, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Night-A-Mins & Overnight Sensation. An oil adds that melty texture Overnight Sensation lacks on it's own. The main giveaway would be the scent. Personally I still favour Night-A-Mins but for the price this Organic Surge night cream is pretty fantastic.

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Organic Surge Beauty Bloggers Favourites Bundle

Organic Surge Beauty Bloggers Favourites Bundle* - £20.95

This year Organic Surge have become one of my favourite brands. I've loved almost everything I've tried from them & they're an affordable yet natural brand. Their products don't contain any parabens, SLS, mineral oil, synthetic perfumes or colours. If you have sensitive skin either on your face or body then you should really check them out. Organic Surge have put together an exclusive gift bundle of four of their top-rated products of 2013. Bought separately these products would cost you £24.08 but if you buy them here you can get them for just £20.95! You could keep everything for yourself or share out each item as a nice stocking filler. The bundle contains:

2-Minute Moisture Mask
This is an amazing hair treatment that has saved my hair from all the trauma I've put it through lately. It is made with pure coconut oil & plant extracts which leave my hair feeling soft & looking shiny. You get all the benefits of using a coconut oil mask but without the greasy residue or mess. Plus it really does get to work in just two minutes! Full review here.

Citrus Mint Shower Gel
I love love love this shower gel! The scent combines two of my favourite things - citrus & mint obvs! It contains organic peppermint, lemon and orange essential oils. It is really refreshing & just the thing to get you feeling pumped for the day ahead. I sometimes get eczema flareups if I use shower gels with dodgy ingredients so this is perfect for my sensitive skin. Full review here.

Blissful Daily Moisturiser
This moisturiser is a great choice if you have normal or combination skin as it leaves your skin feeling really balanced - not oily or dry, just right. The product is a cross between a gel & a cream so even though the texture is quite thick it absorbs well. It is fragrance-free so it is suitable for those with sensitive skin. It makes my skin feel really smooth & gives it a matte appearance. Personally I prefer moisturisers in tubes for hygiene reasons but the glass jar packaging of this product makes it seem quite posh. It is SPF-free so it also works well as a night cream.

Lavender Meadow Hand & Nail Cream
I love the scent of this hand cream. It is heavily fragranced with lavender & geranium essential oils so it's really relaxing. Lavender is always the best thing to whiff before going to sleep so I like to put this on before bed for a restful sleep & nourished hands when I wake up. You only need a tiny blob of this stuff because it is extremely thick & hydrating. It absorbs really quickly and it makes my nails & cuticles look much healthier.

Organic Surge currently have a free UK delivery offer on so this deal is even more worth it right now. Just enter XMASDEL at the checkout before December 20th! Even if this bundle doesn't appeal to you they have some amazing products that are well worth taking a look at. All of their shower gels are lovely & I thoroughly recommend the First Class Face Mask & Eye Gel.

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November Favourites

Essie Bahama Mama
I've fallen hard for Essie's nail polishes. The formula is brilliant & the applicator brush is just so perfectly shaped. I want them all! I've been rocking Bahama Mama all month long. When it started to look a bit tatty, I removed the chipped polish & applied it again. I get bored really easily so this literally never happens but I adore this plummy Autumnal shade. Chloe's been begging me to paint her nails ever since she first spotted me doing mine so I finally christened her tips with a matching Bahama Mama manicure. We're a cool pair ;)

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid
This is such a lovely lip balm. It is made from pure whipped lanolin & features organic lemon oil. The result is a super slick, creamy, non-sticky balm that deeply moisturises & exfoliates your lips all at the same time. It works really well and leaves my lips feeling incredibly soft & smooth. It stays put for hours even after eating & drinking. Plus the lemon scent & taste is absolutely gorgeous! Full review here.

Organic Surge First Class Face Mask
I've been reaching for this face mask a lot lately. This mask works to clear up blemishes & hydrate the skin at the same time. It's perfect for when I have some congested areas that need a bit of a detox. I love the rosemary & lemon scent of this mask, it turns a weekly skincare treat into an indulgent aromatherapeutic experience. It makes my skin feel so soft & fresh. Detox masks can suck all the moisture out of your skin so this is a much better choice if your skin is too dehydrated or sensitive for other products. Full review here.

HealGel Face
I really love this moisturiser. It's such a joy to use because I can notice my skin improving every time I apply it. This creamy white gel is quickly absorbed & it uses hyaluronic acid to rehydrate the skin. It makes my skin feel really soft & it also plumps it up by boosting collagen production. It has helped to fade some of my scarring, heals blemishes faster & it soothes any irritation. It's easily one of the best moisturisers I've tried. Full review here.

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
I've wanted to try this brow pencil for so long & I finally treated myself when Space NK had their amazing gift with purchase offer a couple of weeks ago. I've been using this every day since I got it & it was instant love. This product combines a powder & wax in the form of an eyebrow pencil. One end has a spoolie to brush through your brows with & the other has the pencil. What really makes this special is the shape of the pencil. It has a thin slanted triangular shape so you can get really defined edges. You can use the tip to draw in thin lines or you can use the side to create thicker shapes for fast filling in. It's a very versatile product & using this always results in a pair of beautifully groomed brows. I have the shade Soft Brunette which would suit anyone with ashy brown or silver hair. No warm tones in sight! Hourglass are just one of those brands where I want to try everything. Their products are amazing & well worth the hefty price tag.

PS. Apologies for the late monthly favourites! My Macbook Pro needed a new logic board so I've been without a computer for the past few weeks. Hopefully everything has been sorted now though!

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October Favourites

HealGel Eye
It's so easy to forget about using an eye cream because sometimes you can't ever be sure that it's having a positive effect. I think that this is the only eye product that has actually made a lasting visible difference to my under eye area. It's a hydrating gel featuring arnica & hyaluronic acid. It feels very refreshing & manages to effectively reduce puffiness as well as discolouration. It also provides a smooth canvas for my concealer by firming up that whole area. It's great for both day & night so you're definitely getting your money's worth. I'm actually remembering to use an eye product every day without fail now because this really works! Full review here.

Estelle & Thild Lily Detox Mask
I don't really have large pores but I still can't get enough of this face mask! The product is a thick yellow cream that never sets on the face. It uses lactic acid & natural bentonite clay to remove every trace of gunk from your skin. It gets to work in just 5 minutes & it has such a noticeable effect on pores & blemishes. It reduces inflammtion & gives the skin a matte airbrushed appearance. It makes my skin feel so lovely & soft too. Anyone with oily or blemish-prone skin should give this a go. It is fantastic! Estelle & Thild are definitely a skincare brand to keep your eye on. Full review here.

Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15
I recently finished off my tub of Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturiser. As much as I loved that moisturiser, I felt like trying something new. I use lots of acids on my face so SPF is now an everyday must-have. I decided to go for this Clarins offering and I have to say I really love this moisturiser! The HydraQuench range is ideal for anyone with dehydrated skin. The products feature an exclusive hyaluronic acid complex that replenishes the skin's moisture levels & reduces future moisture loss. There's a different version for every skin type & this one is for people with normal to combination skin. It's a thin white lotion that absorbs very quickly and leaves my face feeling perfectly balanced. It also uses katafray bark, pomegranate extract & alpine willow herb to limit dehydration, tighten pores and regulate shine & sebum production. My makeup sits so nicely on top of this & I no longer need to use Hydraluron because this already contains hyaluronic acid. I've never found a better day moisturiser for combination skin & I thoroughly recommend trying this product.

Vosene Shampoo
I needed a strong clarifying shampoo to help fade my blue hair disaster and this has been working really well for me. It has a slightly odd menthol scent which isn't entirely pleasant but you can't smell it on your hair at all. It uses salicylic acid to cleanse the scalp & hair so it's working to strip the dye as well as excess oils. Therefore you do need a good conditioner afterwards or you'll end up with a dry wreck on your head. I'd recommend this to fade your hair colour rather than a bleach bath though, it's far less damaging.

Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask
To counteract the effects of the Vosene shampoo I've been relying on this Organic Surge hair mask. This lovely thick mask uses coconut oil & plant extracts to restore the condition of your hair & give it an intense hit of hydration. I love how soft, shiny & silky it makes my hair. Plus it gets to work incredibly quickly. It's about 1000x better than Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, that stuff never did anything for my hair even when it wasn't bleached! My hair loves this mask so it's currently on 'forever repurchase' status. Full review here.

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Organic Surge First Class Face Mask

Organic Surge First Class Face Mask* - £8.49

It's rare that you'll find a dual-purpose face mask that actually delivers on both of it's promises. However Organic Surge's First Class face mask manages to give pores a deep cleanse whilst also rehydrating the skin. I often find that clay masks can leave my face feeling tight & dry. This one never sets on the skin so it's not sucking out all the good moisture, just the excess oils & grime. One of the key ingredients is sweet almond oil which is brilliant at moisturising the skin without re-clogging pores. Chamomile and marshmallow are the detoxifying ingredients here rather than acids so this is a nice natural alternative to hardcore chemical skincare products. It doesn't really make too much difference to active breakouts but they do feel slightly calmer & less inflamed. Instead I find that it minimises pores, reduces blackheads and evens out my skintone by reducing any redness present. The result is brighter, healthier looking skin that feels hydrated & incredibly soft. I simply smooth it on with a foundation brush, leave it on for 15 minutes and it easily rinses off without much effort. It's so gentle on the skin & there's no fear of antagonising your skin further by having to scrub off a dried on mask.

This thick white creamy mask is infused with organic rosemary & lemon essential oils so it has a light zingy fragrance that is very refreshing & uplifting. It's great for when both your skin and your mind need a boost. My mum always goes on about rosemary being good for memory & relieving stress so aromatherapy-wise, this is a great choice. It features a plethora of other natural oils which are suitable for sensitive skin. I know a lot of people love the Origins Drink Up range for hydration but their Intensive Overnight Mask has sometimes broken me out. I've had no such problems with the First Class face mask because it is working to detox the skin at the same time. Like all Organic Surge products, this mask is free from parabens, mineral oil, SLS and other harsh chemicals. I do struggle to find good skincare on a budget but Organic Surge's products are always so affordable. I love how much calmer & healthier this makes my skin look. If your skin type normally stops you from using detox masks then this more hydrating offering could work wonders for you. It's a lovely treat for skin affected by the Winter weather too.

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Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask

Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask* - £6.99

I would consider my heavily bleached barnet to be the ultimate test for hair products. If a mask can make my hair shiny and soft, then we're definitely onto a winner. Organic Surge have brought out a 2-Minute Moisture Mask made with pure coconut oil & plant extracts and it is simply incredible! I'm a big fan of coconut oil masks as they're one of the cheapest ways to inject some moisture back into your locks. However they can be a bit messy and I like to keep them on for a few hours before shampooing so I need a lot of free time to do one. Organic Surge's mask features all the benefits of coconut oil masks but in an easy to use, quick and fuss-free formula.

You simply apply this as a normal conditioner after shampooing and wash it off after two minutes. There's a lot of hair products that claim to act that quickly but never seem to do anything to my hair. I normally have to leave masks on for at least 10 minutes. This really does work in no time at all. It has a gorgeous light coconut scent that I can still smell after drying my hair off. It leaves my hair silky, soft, shiny & sleek. After using this my hair looks really healthy from root to tip. It doesn't leave any residue in my hair or make it greasy & flat either. It is free from nasty ingredients including silicone so it's working to nourish your hair rather than just coating it. In my opinion this hair mask is worth every penny and more.

By the way Organic Surge currently have an amazing 3 for 2 offer on their website. You can also get free shipping if you spend over £20. I'll definitely be stocking up on another tub of this and some of their shower gels. I adored the Citrus Mint one but this time I think I'm gonna try the Sugared Almond & Sweet Blossom shower gels. They're among some of the best products I've found for sensitive skin. There's no better time to try them out!

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Organic Surge Eye Gel

Organic Surge Eye Gel* - £8.49

Due to my incredibly bad hayfever I dread every Summer. You can hear me sneezing from a mile away and wearing eye makeup is a nightmare because my eyes get incredibly itchy. Every year I end up trying loads of new products in an attempt to diminish my symptoms. One product that has helped to soothe my red irritated eyes is Organic Surge's Eye Gel. This is a clear lightweight gel that instantly cools the under eye area upon application. It feels especially good if you keep it chilled in the fridge beforehand. It comes with a pump applicator which I like a lot as it's more hygienic than a pot and you can easily distribute the right amount of product. I find that about half a pump is just enough for both of my eyes.

I think that this is a brilliant eye gel if you suffer from puffy eyes as it really works to visibly reduce puffiness and tighten the under eye area. It's so nice to use in the morning if you haven't gotten enough sleep. I much prefer gels to eye creams because I generally find them to be more hydrating and they act as a better base for makeup, especially concealer. A good eye gel like this can smooth down the under eye area and reduce fine lines so that concealer won't collect in them. As a result I look much more awake and well rested. This absorbs really easily too so you don't have to wait around for ages before applying your makeup.

Organic Surge are known for using a lot of natural ingredients in their products. Their Eye Gel is no exception. It contains things such as aloe vera, green tea, witch hazel and menthol which together help to naturally reduce inflammation, puffiness, sagging and dehydration. I was slightly worried that menthol would sting my eyes a bit but it just feels very refreshing and I've had no adverse effects from it. The star ingredient in this product is eyebright - a herb well known for it's ability to reduce puffiness & redness. It has an overall brightening effect on the eye area and is especially good for those of us with allergies. This gel is such a welcome relief to my poorly itchy eyes. If you suffer with hayfever too then you'll know how plain awful it can make you feel. This has helped my eyes to look and feel so much better lately. I no longer have random people on the street asking me if I'm upset! Now if only I could find an antihistamine that can actually stop my hideous sneezing!

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Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel

Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel* - £4.75

Fragrance is a big mood enhancer for me when it comes to bathing. I like my products to smell either sickly sweet or citrus fresh. One problem I continually seem to run into when buying shower gel is that some ingredient in them is far too harsh on my skin resulting in dry elbows and patches of eczema on my body. It really sucks when you find something that smells incredible, feels great in the shower but you later have a reaction to. So recently I've been looking for more natural products in the hopes of reducing my eczema flare ups. Luckily this Citrus Mint shower gel from Organic Surge ticks both the boxes when it comes to having an awesome scent & being kind to my skin. It contains organic peppermint, lemon and orange essential oils which result in a very refreshing shower experience. The scent doesn’t linger on my skin at all but it'll fill your bathroom with those lovely invigorating oils. Natural glycerine, aloe vera and Vitamin E are also included to keep your skin feeling soft & perfectly moisturised. I love how tingly it feels on the skin and I definitely feel more awake after showering with this stuff.

What I really like about Organic Surge is that their products are untouched by harsh chemicals. They don't contain any parabens, SLS, synthetic perfumes or colours. These ingredients are something I'm becoming increasingly concerned about in my beauty products. I'm pretty sure they're what I've been having reactions to. So I really think that natural, organic products are the way to go if you have sensitive skin. I'd really recommend this if you're looking for something to give you a bit more pep in the morning!

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